While Leagues One and Two started last weekend, the return of the Championship this weekend means that this is the first full set of EFL fixtures of the season.
Alongside the full return of the EFL is the return of our expert football pools betting tips, where we're looking to pick out five draws from the full list of fixtures.
Beyond that, we're aiming to pick up as many points as possible from the scoring system outlined below:
- Score draw: 3 points
- No-score draw (0-0): 2 points
- Home or away win: 1 point
Check out our first football pools betting tips of the season below.
Our expert football pools betting tips
Stoke vs Derby (Championship)
On the opening weekend, Stoke vs Derby will go head-to-head for the second league match in a row, having also played each other on the final day of the 24/25 season. While this match won't be anywhere near as stressful as that one, where both clubs were facing relegation, it is a tough match to call.
After 46 games last season, Stoke and Derby were separated by just one place, and none of the changes that either side has made over the summer should mean that they are suddenly worlds apart.
QPR vs Preston (Championship)
No team in the Championship drew more games than Preston last season, with the Lilywhites playing out 20 draws from their 46 matches. While those draws ultimately helped them to stay up, it could so easily have gone the other way.
This weekend, they faced a team that drew more than one-third of their home Championship matches last season, QPR. Only three teams in the division drew more games than the R's last season.
West Brom vs Blackburn (Championship)
West Brom were also regular drawers last season, racking up an impressive 19 from their 46 league matches. Too many draws prevented them from making the playoffs, and although they'll be hoping for improvements this season, their summer business hasn't been great.
Interestingly, 50% of the last four matches between West Brom and Blackburn at the Hawthorns have finished all square, so you'd be foolish to rule one out on Saturday.
Leyton Orient vs Wigan (League One)
Leyton Orient will take on Wigan this weekend in League One with the hosts looking to bounce back after an opening-day defeat. Considering that loss left them at the foot of the table, perhaps a draw would be welcomed just to steady the ship at this early stage.
The O's are taking on a Wigan side that drew more matches than any other League One side last season (17) and after the Latics won their opening fixture, they'd be happy to consolidate this weekend with an away point.
Tranmere vs Shrewsbury (League Two)
Our only League Two selection this week is the match between Tranmere and Shrewsbury on Saturday afternoon. The match puts together two teams who opened up their campaigns last week with a draw, and given how evenly matched they both are on paper, another draw here wouldn't shock anyone.
Only four teams drew more games in League Two last season than Tranmere.
Andy is tipster who has been calling Golf tournaments for several years across many different platforms. He has covered all tournaments from the Asian Tour to the Masters. He's also a keen football fan and is an expert on European football.
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